Valve holder for tube vulcanizers



Aug. 16, 1932. w BRETH Y 1,871,581

VALVE HOLDER FOR TUBE VULCANIZERS Filed Jan. 21, 1932 2 Sheets-#SheetINVENTOR m .BY

w Y M QJ ATroRNEY w. BRETH v 1,871,581

VALVE HOLDER Fon TUBE vULcANIzERs Filed Jan. 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 227a, 7- nl :i 1 ,f2 2f 7- .im E rLd/o E. 5 ai) zum 7 n wfw ,of n .d imwww M \6 4 5 wwf/5 .mm f5 :what r 4 m-.- 43 5 @M INVENTOR -M Mc LATATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 16,- 1932 timel WALTER 13R-ETH, OF AKRON',YOHIO,.ASSIGNOR IO THE GENERAL TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, .ACOR-EORATION OF 'OHIO VALVE nomma Fon TUBE vu'LcANIzEns Applicationfiled January k21, 1932. SeralrNo. '587,941.

This invention relates to vulcanizing apparatus and more particularly toapparatus for use in vulcanizing inner tubes for pneumatic tires.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved means for holding air valves of inner tubes for pneumatic tirecasings during the vulcanizing op eration of the tube.

Another Vobject is to provide tube lvulcanizing mechanism with simpleand eiiicient means for rigidly holding'the tube air valves and formaintaining an eificient connection.

between the air valve and source of air supply during the vulcanizingoperation.

Another object is to provide tire tube vul-V canizing appartus with asimple means forv rigidly clamping an air valve and with means forquickly and easily connecting the air valve with the source of airfsupply, such means maintaining an efficient connection therebetweenduring the vulcanizing opera-- tion.

A further object is to provide tire tube vul,- canizing apparatus with anew and improved clamp for holding an air valve against movement duringthe vulcanizing operation and with resiliently held mechanism forproviding an efficient communication between the` air valve and sourceof air supply.

valve clamping` means and the meansjffor.

' maintaining ,-a connection between the air valve and `source of airsupply; p y

Fig. 2is an enlarged side elevation ofsuch clampingl and connectionmeans showing the same in inoperative position Fig. 3 is a section takenapproximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 2

by apair ofmating mold 'halves or sections` but showing the apparatus inits operative position;

Fig.V 5 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line l6-6 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 4. Y a l Referring tothe accompanying drawings in which like Vnumerals refer to like partsthroughout the several views, the apparatus here shown is for use invulcanizing inner tubes for pneumatic tires.

` In the vulcanization of pneumatic tire tubes and other air containers,a constant pressure is maintained within the article during thevulcanizing operation, and for this purpose a tubular stem similar tothe conventional stem of air valves used with inner tubesis employed foradmitting air under pressure into the tube. As here used in thespecication and claims, the term stem shall be understood to be anysuitable tubular means for admitting air into the tube to be vulcanized.In order to maintain a constantA air pressure within the tube,.the stemis maintained in continuous communication with a source of air supply.lIt is vapparent that yan efficient means must be employed to maintainan elflcient* communication and therefore this means should be of suchIconstruction that it can be quickly and easly attached to and detachedfrom the air stem of the tube.

v The'article selected for illustration in the present application is aninner tube'l having a relatively long stem 2 through which air may be`fed under pressure to the tube. The tube l, as shown in Figs. l and'4.isV shownpositioned `within the mold cavities formed 3.1provision beingmade at the parting line ofthe mold section l3 for the reception of thestem 2.

The apparatus of the present invention,

as shown in Figs'. l and 4, is preferably mounted on a bracket support 4which is secured by a bolt 5 to one of the mold sections 3. Thev bracketsupport 4, however, may be other?.

wise mounted as long as it bears a definite fixed relation to theparting line of the mold section.

The support 4 is provided with a projecting arm 6 which may be integralwith the support or may be separately secured in any suitable mannerthereto. rIhe arm 6 carries the slidable bracket 7 which is securedthereto by means of a cap screw 8 extending through an elongated slot 9in the bracket 7. 'l`hebracket7 and arms 6 are also pro vided withcooperating ways 10 so that-the bracket 7 will have a slidable movementonly. The bracket 7 forms'the'support-for an air conduit 11 which may beclamped thereon in any suitable position by means of l of the armtobring the axis of the nozzle 13 intoaxial `alignment with the axis ofthe .stem 2.

The support 4 also carries mechanism for securely clamping the stem 2andforcing the same firmlyv against vthe nozzle 13.` This mechanismcomprises a -vertically -movable guide post 14 whichis guided atitsupper endbya journal 15 secured to thelsupport 4. The Ypost 14extends finto the lower guide 16 carried by the support 4.4 andterminates in an enlargedrheajd portion 17 vwhich is guided within the'enlarged `bore 18 that is formed at the lower endlof the guide 16 andwhich normally seats against the farm 6, as shown in Fig. 2. A coiledcompression spring 19 is positionedwithin theenlarged bore 18 insuch amanner that onevend thereof seats against the shoulder20/at the upperend of .the guide .16, andthe other end seats against the enlargedheadlportion .17 of the post 14, thereby causingthe post 14 to beresiliently urgedV toward the arm 6 for a purpose to be later described.

,An arm Vv21 is :rigidly secured yto* the post 14.by means of a pin 2-2intermediate the guide 16 and journal V1,5 and extendscut-` wardlyabove-the arm 6.

The post 14, as previously described, .is

vertically movable, and thisfisaccomplished by means of linkagecomprising an actuating.V

lever A23. pivoted by means ofa cap screw 24I to 'the guide 16,'and va'link 25 pivoted at one end to the Ylever 23 and at its upper end to thearm 21. By moving the .lever 23 upwardly the Ilink exerts an upwardpressure on the postv 14,V and raises the'same, which causes the spring19 rtocompress, with downwardly. Y

The device 26 .is also guided. on thearm 21 l for longitudinal movementonly and is bifurcated at its end to provide a pair of -spacedlegs29,-the'base of thebifurca-tions being semiecircular to form atransverse seat 30 for engagement with one side of the stem 2; Aslidabl-e clamp 31 is positioned between the legs 29 and guided by meansof a pin 29,

'and likewise is formed with a semi-circular seat 32 forengagement withthe opposite side of the stem` 2.` The clamp is actuated by means ofaneccentric cam 33 positioned between the legs 29 and rigidly secured to atransversepivot pin-34. The pin 341s rotated `by meansof a lever 35rigidly secured thereto so that upon counter-clockwise movement of thelever 35, as viewedin Fig. 4, the cam 33 will force the clamp31-inwardlyto rigidly clamp the cam 2 against thesernicircular seat 30.A kportion ofithellever 35 is-rounded at 36 yand a' flat spring 37ispositioned to continuously bear against the rounded portion sothatwhen the clamp 31 is retracted, as in Fig. 2, the frictional en' datspring 37 holding the eccentric33 in nonclamping position, andfurthermore the post 14, and therefore the attachedclamping device, isin its lowermost-position. .The inner tube 1 is placed in the cavityofoneofthe mold-sections 3 with'the 'stem or -socalled valve 2-extendingdownwardlybetween the semi-circular seatsi30and-32 into a positionoverlying and'coaxial with the nozzle 13 of l approximately as shownthereof the spring 19jforcres the post 14 downwardly toforce the stem 2.whileclampedl against the conical'iface of the nozzle 13,1a's shownin Fig. 4, It rwill befnotedthat when the device is inclampingpositionthehead portion 17i s free ofengagement with 'the arm 6 so that,during theA ensuing time and until the clamp'is,-released,fthe spring'19.lever 23 is then released l"andas the result causes the stem to havelsecure and eflicient sealed contact with thenozzle 13.`

This provides a. means whereby, during the vulcanizing operation, thetube l is in continuous communication with the source of air supplythrough the stem 2 without liability of leakage or .breakage of the sealthat is maintained between thenozzlc and the stem. The advantages ofsuch a construction, such as efhciency, economy in time and labor, arereadily apparent.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular formsoiapparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth,are presented `for purposes of explanation i and illustration and thatvarious modifications of said apparatus and proceedure can be madewithoutdeparting from my invention as defined in the appended claims.

Ihat I claim is:

Al. In a vulcanizing device having mating mold sections to receive anendless rubber tube therebetween to be vulcanized, said tube having afluid inlet stem extending from between said sections, a rigidly mountedfluid conduit positioned in substantially` axial alignment with saidstem, movable means for rigidly clamping said stem, and resilient meansto l axially move said stem toward said conduit and resiliently hold theopen end of said stem against the discharge end of said conduit wherebyfluid may flow from said conduit through said stem and into said tube.

2. In a vulcanizing device having mating mold sections to receive anendless rubber tube therebetween to be vulcanized, said tube having afluid inlet stem extending from between said sections, a rigidly mountedfluid conduit positioned in substantially axial alignment with saidstem, movable means for rigidly clamping said stem, and resilient meansto axially move said stem vtoward said conduit and resiliently hold theopen end of saidl stem against the discharge end of said conduit wherebyfluid may flow from said conduit through said stem and into said tube,the discharge end of said conduit being conical to fit within said stemand form a seal therewith.

3. In a vulcanizing device having mating mold sections to receive anendless rubber tube therebetween to be vulcanized, said tube having auid inlet stem extending from between said sections, a rigidly mountedfluid conduit positioned in substantially axial alignment with saidstem, a clamp to securely engage said stem, a movable support for saidclamp and a spring acting with said support to place said stem held bysaid clamp in communication with said conduit and resiliently hold saidstem against said conduit.

4. In a vulcanizing device having mating mold sections to receive anendless rubber tube therebetween to be vulcanized, said tube having auid inlet stem extending from between said sections, a rigidly-mountedfluid conduit positioned in substantial-ly axial alignment with saidstem, a clamp to secure ly engage said stem, a movable support for saidclamp and a spring acting with said sup port to place said stem held bysaid clamp in communication withsaid conduit and resil iently hold saidstem against said conduit, said stem and clamp having coacting surfacesto provide a seal therebetween whereby fluid may. flow from said conduitthrough saidstem and into said tube.

5. In a vulcanizin g device having mating mold sections to receive anendless rubber tube therebetween to be vulcanized, saidtube having aiiuid inlet stem extending from between said sections, a rigidly mountedfluid conduit positioned in substantially axial alignment with saidstem, a movable member, spring means normally urging said member towardsaid conduit, an actuating means for moving said member away fromV saidconduit against the resistance of said spring means, and clamping meanscarried by said member for securely clamping said stem while said memberis away 'from said conduit, whereby upon release of said actuatingmeans' .saidV spring means will resiliently force the open end of saidstem against the discharge end of said conduit.

6. In a vulcanizing device having mating mold sections to receive anendless rubber tube therebetween to be vulcanized, said tube having afluid inlet stem extending from be'- tween said sections, a rigidlymounted fluid conduit positioned in substantially axial alignment withsaid stem, a movable member, spring means normally urging said membertoward said conduit, an actua-ting means for moving said member awayfrom said conduit against the resistance of said spring means, andclamping means carried by saidV member for securely clamping ysaid stemwhile said member is away from said conduit, whereby upon release ofsaid actuating means said spring means will resiliently force the openend of said stem against the'discharge end of said conduit, said openend of said stem and discharge end of said conduit having voverlappingsurfaces to form. aseal and establish communication therebetween.

In a vulcanizing device having mating mold sections to receive anendless rubber tube .therebetween to be vulcanized, said tube having afluid inlet stem extending from be- 'fsA ino

tween said sections, a rigidly mounted fluid conduit positioned invsubstantially axial alignment with said stem, a movable member having astem engaging seat 'for engaging one side of said stem, a clampingmember carried by said movable member and Vhaving a stem seat forengaging the other side of said stem, spring means normally urging .saidmovable member toward Vsaid conduit, actuating means for moving saidmovable member away from said conduit against the resistance of saidspring andv longitudinally of said stem, and means for moving saidclamping member into clamping engagement with said stem whereby uponrelease of said actuating means said spring means will resiliently urgethe open end of said stein against the discharge end cf said conduit.

8. In a vulcaniziiig devicevhaving mating mold sections to receive anendless rubber tube therebetween to be vulcanized, said tube having afluid inlet stem extending from between said sections, a. rigidlymounted fluid conduit .positioned in substantially axial alignment withsaid stem, a movable'm'ember having a stein engaging seat for engagingone side of said stem, a clamping member'carriedby saidl movable memberand having a stem engaging seat for engaging the other side of saidstem, spring means normally urging said movable member toward saidconduit, actuating means for moving said movable member away from saidcon.- duit against the resistance of said spring and longitudinally ofsaid stem, and means for moving said clamping member into clampingengagement with said stem whereby upon release of said actuating meanssaid spring means will resiliently urge the open end of said stemagainst the discharge end of said conduit, said open end of said stemand discharge end of said conduit having overlapping surfaces to form aseal and communication therebetween; Y

9. In a vulcanizing device having mating mold sections to receive anendless rubber establish tube therebetween to be vulcanized., said tubel one side of said stem, aclamping member carried by said movable memberand having a stem engaging seat for engaging the other side of saidstem, spring means normally urg- 'gf'j ing said movable member towardsaid conduit, actuating means for moving said movable member away fromsaid conduit against conduit positioned in substantially am'al alignmentwith said stem, a movable member having a stem engaging seat forengaging one side of said stein, a clamping member carried by saidmovable member and having astem engaging seat for engaging the otherside o-f said stem, spring means normally urging said movable membertoward said conduit, actuating means for moving said movable member awayfrom said conduit against the resistance of said spring andlongitudiiially of said stem, and a vcam for moving said clamping memberinto clamping engagement with said stem whereby upon release of saidactuating means said spring means will resiliently urge tlie open end ofsaid `stein against the'discharge end of said conduit, said open end ofsaid stem and discharge end of said conduit having overlapping surfacesto form a seal and establish communication therebetween. y

In testimony whereof I allix my signature WALTER BRETI-I.

the resistance of said spring and longitudi` f nally of said stem,'and acam for moving said clamping member into clamping engage-A ment withsaid stem whereby-upon release of said actuating means said spring meanswill resiliently urge the open end of said stem against the dischargeend of said conduit.

10. In a vulcanizing device having mating mold sections to receive anendless rubber tube therebetween to be vulcanized, said tube having afluid inlet stein extending from betweensaidsectionsa rigidly mountedfluid

